Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-08-17


its silvery recollections hold
That night upon the steps.
-
AN OLD SOLDIERS STORY.
Twas participant in the hardest
fighting at Gettysburg, and I was at
Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and
second Bull Run, says writer in the
New York Sun, but I am telling you
honestly that I would take my chances
over again in all those fights rather
than stand up to be shot by single
man in what is called a duel. 1t has
been my misfortune to be forced into
two affairs of the kind, and I speak by
the card.
Two years before the war business
of legal nature called me to Charles
ton. There was litigation over alegacy,
and the feeling between the heirs was
anything but pleasant. The leader of
those seeking to break the will was a
middle-aged South Carolinian of fiery
temper, while the leader of those in
heriting was man from Ohio. It was
made plain to me before Il had been
in Charleston two days that the con-
testants were determined to 60 to any
length. The Judge of the court was
an old man who could be brow-beaten
and blufed, their two lawyers were
noted for the number of duels they had
fought, and the heirs had no friends in
or out of court. was at once ap-
preached with direct offer to sell out.
A person was sent to my room at the
hotel to make me the offer, and within
an hour after he was kicked out
the enemy tried another move. The
following note was sent to me through
| the Office of the hotel:
! Mr.: BLANK: 1beg you to heed the warn,
Ing of friend. withdraw from the case of
Crane agt. Cox and save your life. You
will surely be killed if you don't.
laughed at the idea. Had arrived
In Charleston to stir up trouble among
the slaves should have expected to take
my chances of being knitted, shot, or
lynched, but if the contestants in will
case could drive me off by threats, or
dared attempt my life, the times had
come to pretty hard pass. As did
not know who had sent the note could
not reply to it, nor did let its contents
bother my mind. It might have come
from friend, or it might be a ruse on
the part of the enemy.
had about four days to prepare fol
the opening of my case. 1t was on call
Tor Tuesday. On Monday afternoon
had occasion to 60 to the public library
to hunt up some dates, and to look
through the files of the Mercury. I was
engaged in this work when tall, slim
representative Southerner entered the
room. He had long black hair, black
eyes, dark complexion, and nervous
movement. After making turn OF
two around the room he approached the
table at which I stood and said:
"You have taken an unwarranted
liberty, sir"
''ln what respect?'
Il always come here at this hour t.
consult those files, and you have thrust
yourself in to insult me-"
my dear sir, was never in thi:
room before to-day, and so far from
being aware of your habit I did no.
even know of your existence. an
through with the file, and am also
about ready to vacate the room, which
/ suppose is public. " .-..~, ".'~'~
"There's my card, sir!' he exclaimed
~ hs jerked a pasteboard from his YES
pocket and extended it.
The card bore the address: "A
Mcknight, New Orleans" 1t WASH
= bit singular that he had it handy t.
throw 1T MI, for he had come prepared
''Glad to meet you, SIR" said, ~
read the address.
"You have insulted me, and deman'
satisfaction. A friend of mine viii
wait on you this afternoon
With that he turned and walked of
leaving me- completely upset. sa
down to think it over, and it did no
take mo long to come. t
the conclusion that it was tn
work of the contestants. The
had imported a man, probably pro
fessional duelist, to force me into due
and have me killed off. He had entcre,
the library for no other purpose thai
to force quarrel, and flimsier7 pre-
text for a duel was never heard of.
was = man of peace, and would hav
sacrificed much to keep out of trouble
but this thing fired my blood, and
seized my hat and ran out on the street
determined to give him better excus
for calling mo out. As luck woul
have it, I encountered him within"
hundred steps, He was coming towar
me, and as we met gave him a vigol
GUS slap across the mouth with my ope
hand. He reached for his pistol t
, shoot me down then and there, but
Z seized him by the shoulders and fun